Sister Gerald Driessen

Sister Gerald Driessen, 103, a founder of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery, went home to God Feb. 8, 2008, at the Garrison Memorial Hospital Nursing Facility, Garrison. Mass of Christian burial is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 in the Chapel of Annunciation Monastery. Visitation starts today at the monastery and continues until the time of the funeral. A wake is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11 in the monastery chapel. Sister Gerald birth name Marcella was born Sept. 19, 1904, at St. Bonifacius, Minn. She was one of eight children of Herbert and Catherine Born Driessen. Catherine died in 1910 and Herbert remarried in 1915 bringing his children a new mother and five more siblings. From childhood Sister Gerald always had the desire to be a sister. She entered St. Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, Minn. in 1922 and made her monastic profession on July 11, 1924. An educator for 53 years, Sister Gerald loved teaching. She enjoyed her students and they in turn loved her. Many of them became her lifelong friends and some came to visit often. In her elementary grade classrooms, Sister Gerald tried to make learning creative and fun. She prepared plays and programs for her students to perform, read them poetry, led them in square dancing and did activities to build leadership qualities. Sister Gerald taught in Catholic schools in Minnesota and in the North Dakota towns of Mandan, Bismarck, Wahpeton and Dickinson. She was among the sisters who opened St. Lawrence School in Flasher in 1950, serving five years as principal and junior high instructor. For 26 summers, Sister Gerald taught religion in rural parishes in western North Dakota. It was an endeavor she loved. "It was rewarding," she said. "I enjoyed teaching the children and getting to know their families." She finished her career by serving six years in the curriculum lab at the University of Mary. Sister Gerald had a gift for making friends and she had many of them. She was a great letter writer and throughout her life kept in contact with friends, former students and relatives. In her later years, she said her letter writing ministry kept her mind alert and made people happy. As for hobbies, she enjoyed playing the piano, card games, walking in nature, reading books and memorizing poetry. She also did word power to increase her vocabulary. Above all, she cherished being a Benedictine sister for 83 years. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of her monastic profession, she wrote, "God's eternal goodness made my life as a Benedictine sister full of purpose and love. I thank the Lord for all these years of service as His handmaid, for all the wonderful friends I've made and the kind and energetic sisters with whom I pray and live at Annunciation Monastery." Sister Gerald is survived by a large extended family, friends and the sisters of Annunciation Monastery. Memorials may be made to Annunciation Monastery.

Sister Gerald Driessen

September 19, 1904 - February 8, 2008